Fighting the good fight

Clinical trial allows Dalene Erwin to battle brain tumor on her terms

Johnson County Community College interior design instructor Dalene Erwin wasn’t overly concerned when she felt a lump in her breast in 2010. Because she had a history of fibrocystic breast disease, it wasn’t unusual for her to periodically discover a lump.

To be safe, she had a breast exam. All seemed routine until the radiologist appeared during her sonogram and told her he suspected she had cancer. After a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, surgeons performed a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Erwin then began 12 weeks of chemotherapy.

Two years later, Erwin, who has no family history of cancer, discovered another lump under her arm. Testing determined it was cancerous and had spread to her lymph nodes. She had surgery at an area hospital to remove the tumor and then began 18 months of weekly chemotherapy at The University of Kansas Cancer Center – Overland Park.

When the chemotherapy was no longer effective, her medical oncologist, Amy Rabe, MD, started Erwin on an oral treatment. Eventually, the oral medication stopped working, too, and Dr. Rabe began to explore other treatment options.

Out of synch

During this time, Erwin, 64, said she started feeling “off,” not like herself. She might have attributed it to the variety of chemotherapy treatments she had received, which zapped her energy. “But this was something different,” she said. “I wasn’t synching with things.”

After a visit to the emergency room in early 2015, neurologists found a walnut-sized tumor in the left side of her brain. “They removed it, and I didn’t have a lot of issues as a result of the surgery,” said Erwin. “Then doctors wanted to use radiation on my tumor site. But I didn’t want to do multiple treatments. I wasn’t sure I could handle it.”

After researching radiation treatments and discussing it with Dr. Rabe and Vickie Massey, MD, radiation oncologist, Erwin decided to take part in a clinical trial. The clinical trial she enrolled in involved delivering a single stereotactic radiation treatment to her tumor location. The alternative to a clinical trial would have been whole brain treatment over 10-14 separate appointments.

Erwin received one dose of radiation to the margins (perimeter) of her tumor site. She is hopeful that she and other patients like her will prove that this one-time application can be effective in fighting brain tumors.

Making memories

Erwin said that after learning all she could about the clinical trial involving radiation, she felt she had nothing to lose.

“I feel very informed about the trial. I can stop at any time or change my mind midway through the process,” Erwin said. “I am monitored more closely and have more frequent MRIs and blood tests than if I were receiving standard treatment alone. To me, that is a good thing, especially if my cancer comes back or doesn’t respond.”

Erwin said she is pleased with the clinical trial and her experience at The University of Kansas Cancer Center – Overland Park. She especially noted the compassionate care she received from the cancer center’s infusion nurses.

“Without their kindness and skill, I’d have quit this fight,” Erwin said. “It’s a nasty battle I’m fighting against cancer, and it’s not going away anytime soon. But I’m going to continue fighting to maintain my quality of life. And, so far, I’m fighting hard.

“With the repeated radiation treatments, I’m not sure I could have continued working. The clinical trial afforded me another option, which allows me to be functional,” she said. “I have two granddaughters I want to do fun things with, yet. I want them to have good memories of me.”

Clinical Trials: Be Part of the Cure

Medical research finds ways to help people live longer, improve their quality of life and manage or cure disease. Participating in clinical trials may offer you access to promising therapies and will contribute to research that can improve care for future generations. Learn more.